Are Gators Over-Eager to Name Del Rio Starter?

What's with the seeming rush in Gainesville to name Luke Del Rio the starting quarterback?

During his weekly Monday news conference, I wouldn’t say that Florida coach Jim McElwain went back to coach-speak without answering questions, nor was he as quick to name a starting quarterback as he was going into spring practice. In short, it didn’t sound as if Luke Del Rio has the same “leg up” against his competition as McElwain noted a couple of weeks ago.

I’m happy to hear this.

I realize that this time of year, college football fans grow frustrated when coaches are hesitant in naming a starting quarterback, especially when in fans’ minds there is a clear-cut answer at the position. Last year at this time, Florida had a quarterback competition between Will Grier and Treon Harris. It wasn’t until the second week of the season that Grier was named the starter.

This news is good news because I’m not quite ready to hear that Del Rio is Florida’s starting quarterback. Based on what?

If I had to pick the guy who will take the first snap in the season opener against Massachusetts, I’d pick Del Rio. I just want to know that he spent the next several months earning the position and separating himself from Austin Appleby, Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask.